Mass Mutual Disability Help

Tips for a Mass Mutual Disability Benefit Application Approval & How to Stay on Claim

Most disability insurance policies written by Mass Mutual are individual ones where professionals take out personal disability policies to cover themselves if they are unable to work in their own profession. Our disability insurance lawyers have helped hundreds of individuals to obtain Mass Mutual long term disability benefits. We encourage you to watch our Mass Mutual disability application video for some instant tips that can help get your disability claim approved. Contact any of our disability insurance lawyers for a free immediate phone consultation.

The top reasons why a Mass Mutual disability benefit claim may be denied:

Disability insurance claimants do not understand the term “own occupation” and do not adequately explain their specific job duties.
Disability insurance claimants do not understand the terms of their policy regarding definition of disability.
Disability insurance claimants medical records do not support their claim.

Tips on How to Get a Mass Mutual Long-Term Disability Claim Approved

Mass Mutual has a reputation for being fair but thorough. You need to provide Mass Mutual as much documentation of your medical condition as possible. You must know your Mass Mutual disability insurance policy language and what it says you can and cannot do. Do you have a policy that allows you to continue working in another occupation with no income limitation if you are unable to do the duties of your own occupation? Can you work at another job but with an income limitation? Are you prevented from working at all? These answers will be found in your policy.

Medical Support and a Coordinated Presentation of Information from All Treating Doctors is Essential

It is sometimes difficult to explain to your treating physicians what you require of them, but all your healthcare providers need to be consistent in their reporting. They must say more than that they support your claim for disability. They must be specific about how the disabling condition prevents you from working at your own occupation. Often, our professional clients have had the disabling condition for some time. They may have been working through it for months or years, so Mass Mutual asks, “What changed? Why can’t you work now?” We can usually show that you can no longer work like you used to. It may take you more hours to do the same amount of work. Your condition may have worsened. This requires more documentation than if you were injured in an accident or are suddenly faced with a catastrophic medical diagnosis. Our clients generally do not want to stop working. They make far less money on disability, but they come to a point where they are just unable to perform their job duties any longer.

Establishing the Duties of Your Occupation is a Key Factor in Establishing Why You Cannot Work in Your Own Occupation

Whether you are a physician, dentist, lawyer, business owner, or other professional, Mass Mutual will look at your financial documents to verify your loss. Mass Mutual will look at your state and federal personal and business tax returns. Mass Mutual will review your profit and loss statements. If you are a doctor, they will review your CPT billing codes. Dentists will need to provide their ADA codes. Mass Mutual uses all of this to verify your occupational duties. Mass Mutual wants to know the procedures you were doing and why you can no long do them. They will look at your calendars, and for lawyers, they will look at their docket schedules. Business owners will need to provide their calendars and meeting schedules.

Most Mass Mutual Disability Policies Are Not Subject to ERISA Laws

Most Mass Mutual disability policies are ERISA exempt and covered by standard contract law. This is a benefit for policy holders as Mass Mutual can be sued for breach of contract if they deny your claim for long-term disability benefits and you will be entitled to a jury trial if the claim is denied.

How Can Our Disability Insurance Lawyers Help?

When our disability insurance attorneys at Dell & Schaefer prepare your disability insurance claim, we take charge, and all communications go through us. Mass Mutual will generally ask you to sign releases like a HIPAA release so they can call your doctors directly. We suggest you tell your doctors not to speak to anyone without speaking to you first. We then work with the doctors to guide them through that interview. Mass Mutual will likely want to interview you. This is an important part of having your disability insurance claim approved. Think of this as a job interview where everything you say will be scrutinized. You want to be honest, but you do not want to downplay your medical condition. We will guide you through this interview so you will know what to expect. We offer a free consultation where we first review a copy of your policy, then discuss with you how we think we can help and what our fees or costs will be. If we do not collect benefits for you, you pay us nothing. Our clients are located all over the country, so no matter where you live, we can help. Call us at (888) 699-9438 for more information.

Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits

Disability Benefit Denial Options

Submit a Strong Mass Mutual Appeal Package

We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong Mass Mutual appeal.

Submit a Strong Disability Insurance Appeal

Sue Mass Mutual

We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide against Mass Mutual.

Sue Your Disability Insurance Company

Protect Your Benefits

Get Your Mass Mutual Disability Application Approved

We help claimants throughout the entire application process.

Apply for Mass Mutual Disability Insurance Benefits

Prevent a Mass Mutual Disability Benefit Denial

We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.

Monthly Handling of Your Disability Claim

Negotiate a Mass Mutual Lump-Sum Settlement

Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.

Long Term Disability Buyout

Mass Mutual Reviews

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Mass Mutual

I would not trust MassMutual in any service they offer

Reviewed by Madeline on April 16th 2015 Verified Policyholder

I would not recommend MassMutual for any of your insurance needs. I purchased a Disability Income Insurance policy offered by my employer through MassMutual many years ago... read more >

Reply

Sent on April 16th 2015 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

Madeline, please note that entitlement to disability benefits is never guaranteed, as such an insurance carrier will review your claim to determine ongoing eligibility.... read more >

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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers

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Q: Will Mass Mutual pay my disability claim if I become disabled while on unemployment?

A: LisaYour husband has a complicated fact pattern and you should call us to discuss the claim. You may still... Read More >

Q: Mass Mutual Disability Insurance - Own Occupation Rider, for Dentist vs Other insurance Carrier

Answered on April 21st 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: Jim, Guardian / Berkshire prior to 2021 was one of the best disability companies. They had some management cha... Read More >

Q: I have submitted my application for long term disability to Mass Mutual and I want to know how long it should take them to make a decision?

Answered on January 2nd 2023 by Attorney Steven Dell

A: Dr. Stein. This is a great question and it depends on multiple factors. In most cases Mass Mutual and all of t... Read More >

Q: Can MassMutual deny my claim based on a pre-existing condition?

Answered on January 9th 2018 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

A: Monique, it will depend on the language in the policy as it relates pre-existing conditions. When a claim is f... Read More >

Q: Can MassMutual deny my claim due to an issue not included in my physician's formal diagnosis?

Answered on September 12th 2014 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

A: Jimmy, Unfortunately, Mass Mutual is within their rights to decline to provide insurance coverage as they see ... Read More >

Q: Can I get a lump sum buyout? Should I hire an attorney?

Answered on May 21st 2014 by Attorney Stephen Jessup

A: Skip, Please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we may be able to assist you in securing a lump su... Read More >

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Helpful Videos

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Disability Benefit Tips

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Mass Mutual Financial Disability Insurance Claims

In this episode disability insurance attorneys Gregory Dell and Cesar Gavidia of Attorneys Dell & Schaefer discuss Mass Mutual Disability Insurance Company and their handling of long term disability insurance claims.Unlike many other long term disability insurance companies, Mass Mutual usually handles their long-term disability claims in a reasonable ma... Read More >

Why does Mass Mutual want to hide its disability insurance claim forms?

Mass Mutual, an insurance company that sells long term disability insurance products, recently hired the international law firm of Shutts & Bowen in an effort to prohibit Disability Insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer from displaying blank Mass Mutual long term disability insurance claim forms on their website. More specifically, Mass Mutual hired attorney Jeffrey Landau, one of the leading insurance d... Read More >

Why Must Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Understand Your Disabling Condition?

When it comes to securing your disability insurance benefits, it's vitally important that your disability insurance lawyer thoroughly understands the symptoms and impact of your disabling condition. Doctors can help you create strong medical records, but they're not accustomed to dealing with the rigorous documentation disability insurance companies require. Lea... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #5 – Your Medical Evidence is Weak

If you're seeking long term disability benefits from an insurance company, you may be concerned that you're facing an uphill battle. Fortunately, the stronger your medical evidence, the greater the odds that your claim will be approved. On the other side of the coin, one of the most common reasons for denial of long term disability benefits involves too-weak med... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company

When you're seeking disability insurance benefits, your medical records and treating physician's statement are two of the most important components of your claim. But because the insurance company has a vested interest in denying your disability insurance claim, it often will rely on tactics like ambushing your doctor with a phone call in an attempt to get them ... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance

One thing many disability insurance claimants don't know about (or expect) from the claims review process involves video and social media surveillance. Disability insurance carriers often hire people to follow claimants around with a telephoto lens - or even send social media friend requests from fake accounts - to glean whatever information they can about the c... Read More >

How Do You Fight a Long-Term Disability Denial?

Getting a denial letter from your disability insurance company is one of the ultimate insults. You are sick and not able to work, yet your disability insurance company is telling you to return to work. The disability insurance company has denied your disability benefit claim and is basically calling you a liar. When receiving a disability denial letter or a ph... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #2 - Change of Disability Definition & Vocational Review

One of the top reasons for terminating a claimant's long term disability benefits involves the change in the disability insurance policy's definition of "disability." This definition change often happens in conjunction with a vocational review, or an analysis of a claimant's medical records that tells the insurance company which jobs the claimant should be able ... Read More >

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Dell Disability Cases

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Anesthesiologist Approved for Long Term Disability Benfits Plus an Extra 9 Months of Benefits

Our client, an Anesthesiologist, suffered a fall at his home which resulted in rupturing his left quadriceps tendon requiring him to undergo surgery the following day. For the next month and a half, he underwent extensive recovery and rehab in his attempt to return to work. Believing he had sufficiently recovered; he made a return to work on a reduced schedule b... Read More >

Mass Mutual Approves Long Term Disability Benefits For an Oncologist That Suffered Stroke

Our client was a well respected, dedicated Oncologist who had managed his own medical practice for many years. In an area of medicine where there is more heartbreak than not, where the steady guidance of a doctor helps navigate patient and family alike through the battle with life threatening cancer, our client stood out. It was his life's passion to wage a battle against cancer, and he never envisioned the da... Read More >

Mass Mutual approves long-term disability benefits of $12,000 a month for a financial advisor suffering from musclar dystrohpy (FSHD)

Our client, a financial advisor, was first diagnosed with fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) in 2002. FSHD is a neuromuscular disease which causes progressive skeletal muscle loss and weakness, defects in the biochemical, physical and structural components of muscle and the death of muscle cells and tissue. FSHD is a severely disabling condition and is the second most prevalent muscular dystrophy a... Read More >

Mass Mutual attempts to deny disability benefits to OBGYN after ten years on claim

Our Client, an OBGYN from New York, suffered significant spinal injuries following a fall from his horse. Total Disability benefits were paid for approximately 10 years without question. As part of his physical therapy and to prevent further degeneration of his spinal cord, back muscles and leg muscles, his doctor advised him to lift weights. During one of the insurer's regular disability surveillance observat... Read More >

Seven Surgeries and The Standard Still Denies Disability Insurance Benefits

Our client was employed with the State of Oregon as a Technical Support Representative. She sought disability through her employer provider LTD Policy with Standard due to low back, hip, and lower extremity pain. She had two hip, two knee and three back surgeries.After paying her for 1.5 years Standard hired a board-certified neurologist to perform a review ... Read More >

Sun Life Wrongfully Denies Disability After Paying For 23 Months

We represent a 57 year-old claimant who’s occupation was selling commercial vehicles for many years. Her job was very physical as it required her to climb in and out of semi-trucks multiple times a day as well as operate them which was very strenuous. She went out of work in due to ongoing and severe debilitating right hip, low back, and bilateral knee pain... Read More >

Nurse Denied Long-term Disability Benefits by Lincoln After the Definition of Disability Changed

Our client, a registered nurse for Dignity Health, found herself in a difficult situation after being diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis and left knee arthritis. She continued to work, however, struggled while attempting to work through chronic lower back pain and left lower extremity radicular symptoms on a daily basis. Sadly, her condition failed to improve and... Read More >

Lincoln Reverses Decision to Terminate LTD Benefits of Corporate Attorney after Dell Disability Lawyers Appeals the Decision

The claimant is an 64 year old former Corporate Attorney and at a prominent Florida business law firm who was forced to cease working in his highly successful and rewarding profession, job, and career on January 27, 2021, and to seek disability compensation under his policies with Lincoln due to severe symptomatology stemming from or following a viral COVID-19 i... Read More >

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Disability Lawsuit Stories

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Showing 8 of 765 Lawsuit Stories

Reliance Standard Disability Denial Upheld Due to Claimant's Lack of Strong Medical Record Support

In the case of Amy Wright v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (Reliance), Plaintiff was the vice-president of health information services at Integrity Health Care when she stopped working on August 7, 2017. She brought claims for benefits under an LTD insurance policy and a waiver of premiums under a life insurance policy.In order to be approved for LTD benefits, Plaintiff ... Read More >

Unum Wrongfully Terminated Disabled Lawyer’s Disability Claim of Depression and Anxiety Despite Improvement in His Condition

This Unum lawsuit and appeal in federal court is a great victory for all Unum disability claimants. This case supports all claimants that are disabled and claim that they cannot return to work as the requirements of their job will aggravate their symptoms and make them unable to work.Mark was a personal injury litigation attorney, when he began struggling with symptoms of... Read More >

Federal Court Overturns Aetna Denial Of Disability Benefits

In the recent case of Ferrin v. Aetna Life Ins. Co. a federal judge from the Northern District of Illinois determined that Aetna improperly terminated Ferrin’s claim for long term disability benefits and ordered Aetna to reinstate Ferrin’s claim and pay all past due benefits with interest. Prior to filing for long term disability Ferrin was an employee of Southwest Airlines. In 2008, while at work, she suf... Read More >

Court Finds Irregularities in Procter & Gamble Disability Insurance Benefit Denial

In ERISA cases filed in a district court asking for judicial review of a plan administrator's denial of benefits, the court is generally limited to considering only the administrative record that was before the plan administrator. The case of Robert Stallings v. The Proctor & Gamble Disability, Committee, et al., is an example of how plaintiffs with cases filed in a District Court that is under the jurisdi... Read More >

Federal Judge Makes Companion Life Insurance Pay Disability Benefits

Companion Life tried to play games and deny disability insurance benefits, but thankfully a New Mexico Federal Judge made them pay disability benefits and attorney fees. The Plaintiff, Mr. Paul Chandhok, was recently awarded disability benefits in a decision by The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, in a case decided on August 13, 2021. What makes this decision important for plaintif... Read More >

NFL Disability Review Board Ignores Evidence of Disability and Appeal Court Reverses Lower Court Decision

In Darren Mickell v. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan (Plan), Mickell spent nine years in the NFL as a defensive end. He was repeatedly subjected to high speed contact hits which caused multiple orthopedic injuries to his “back, ribs, shoulders, arms, hands, knees, hips, legs, and feet." He had multiple orthopedic surgeries. Mickell also sustained multiple blows to his head t... Read More >

Judge Agrees that MetLife's Denial of Long Term Disability Benefits was Reasonable

In Anne Ehlert v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife), Ehlert was a consulting pension actuary for pension plans at Towers Watson. Her first day of work with Towers was September 8, 2003. Her last day of work was December 23, 2015. In August 2016, she applied for long-term disability (LTD) benefits under her employer’s disability insurance benefit plan which was administered by MetLife.In thi... Read More >

Can Standard Insurance Company’s Failure to Raise an Issue be Considered a Waiver?

The case of Jose Chavez v. Standard Insurance Company has quite a history with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. It began in September 2016 when Standard first began paying long-term disability benefits to Chavez. He had several operations on his wrist and was no longer able to perform the duties of his own occupation.Standard terminated his ben... Read More >

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Reviews from Our Clients

S.S.

I am a physician in my 30s who was practicing in my hospital based medical specialty until my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis began to severely limit my physical ability to work.

My husband and I were obviously in distress at these very unwanted life changes and frankly overwhelmed with the possibility of a long and traumatizing legal battle ahead of us. We knew we were legally entitled to benefits through the separate private individual and employer based ERISA disability insurance policies we had, but even cursory research and discussion with colleagues made it clear that insurance companies will strategize with their own legal teams to find ways to not pay out benefits. We found many before us who had fallen unwittingly into legal pitfalls that prevented them from ultimately obtaining benefits. We realized we needed to seek legal counseling.

We found Dell Disability Firm through their youtube channel where their associates have videos discussing the legal intricacies and latest developments in private disability law. I was impressed by their dedication to the field and reached out through their website to request a free consultation.

We were delighted to hear that Mr. Steven Dell himself would be willing to take our case and felt assured that we would be represented by the best of the best.

We have not been disappointed in our expectation and have, in fact, been consistently very impressed. Steven Dell is clearly both knowledgeable and wise about dealing with these issues but more importantly, has shown kindness and impeccable honesty at each step of the way.

Merlin has demonstrated a very high capacity for organizing and handling the endless myriad of documents and communications between us and the insurance companies. She has also been very compassionate, accessible and forthcoming in dealing with our many anxiety fueled emails and telephone calls to her and we are very grateful for her involvement.

For over 7 months, we have been working closely with Steven Dell and Merlin Bryan from Dell Disability Lawyers as they have guided us through the process of review and initial application for benefits from our two insurance policies (Hartford and Ameritas).

We are happy to announce we just received approval of claim from the Hartford insurance company.

At this time we are still working with this firm as we await the final decisions from Ameritas policy that we are hopeful will have a similar outcome.

As anyone with a chronic and progressive illness can tell you, time becomes a very precious commodity. Through their representation, Dell Disability Associates has allowed us to focus the majority of our time enjoying the time and function I have left while resting assured that our disability case laid in competent and caring hands.

The truth is that no amount of money can make up for what we have lost, but it is a huge comfort to have a team like Dell Disability Lawyers at our sides to help us ensure we will be able to continue to care for ourselves and our families.

We highly recommend Dell Disability Lawyers, Mr. Steven Dell and Ms. Merlin Bryan to handle your disability insurance claim.

Thank you Steven, thank you Merlin!

We will certainly plan on leaving another review for completeness once we have our final decision from Ameritas.

Paula B.

I have been working with Dell Disability Lawyers for the past 5 years concerning my disability as it pertained to my employer. I have been more than pleased with them the entire time. They have always kept me informed of any paperwork needing completed or any changes coming ahead. Nothing has been a surprise. I would recommend them to you to help with your disability case if you’re trying to dip into the policy you’ve been paying for.

Michael M.

I am a physician who has been disabled for over 10 years. During this time I have been represented by Cesar Gavidia and his assistant Danielle Lauria. Their representation on my behalf has allowed me to concentrate on dealing with my disability/disease process and all associated complications and not having to deal with all the things that are necessary in a disability claim. Based on my personal experience from many years of practicing medicine I would consider their work product, insight and effort in the disability claim procedures to be superior. I would recommnend them, which I have done, with my highest level of confidence. In short, you well served with this practice.

Dan P.

I had to retire from my career due to a bad back that restricted me from performing my duties. I had LTD insurance and after a few years of receiving monthly benefits from this insurance company, they notified me that my benefits were terminated stating that I don’t qualify due to my duties not fitting into some “national job description” and a nurse had deemed me eligible to go back to work. Its a crushing feeling to have this told to you over the phone with hardly any information given. Luckily, I came across Dell Disability Lawyers and spoke with Attorney Palamara who calmed me down and stated they would take my case. Within a couple of months my benefits were restored, and I had piece of mind. I cannot thank Attorney Palamara and the staff enough at Dell Disability for their professionalism, no nonsense approach, personal and timely communication and quick ability to litigate my case.

Jen S.

I wanted to thank Mr. Symonds and his legal assistant Sonia for their professionalism, guidance and dedication towards my LTD claim. Going through the denial process on my own was going to get me sicker and knew it was time for help right away. I reached out to Dell Disability Lawyers for assistance and not too long after my call, I was connected with Sonia – Soon after that, I was talking about my case with Mr. Symonds. After a long and tedious process with the LTD insurer, we won the case. The wait can absolutely be lengthy, but in the end, it was all very much worth the fight. Thank you both so much for all that you have done for me! I also want to thank those who assisted in keeping me updated, as needed. Highly recommended for anyone who is going through the brutal process of an LTD denial.

Carl G.

I would like to thank Dell Disability Lawyers for taking care of my case and help me get the insurance coverage that I was rightfully in need of. Specially, I would like to thank Lawyer Alexander Palamara and RIGHT-HAND legal assistant, Sonia Nogueira, who made this process less stressful. They answered all my questions and kept me informed every step of the way.

Don’t get me wrong. They never promised or told me that I was going to win my case, as no one can guarantee that for you. What they did do, was letting me know that they were working hard for me and to keep positive. Something that I recommend everyone to do is to subscribe to their YouTube channel. That will give you an idea on how they operate and why they (for most of their cases) win their cases.

Since I was awarded disability, I am still having surgeries and thanks to Dell Lawyers, I’ve been able to cover all those expenses.

Warm regards to everyone at Dell.

Clarisa B.

I’m so very Grateful and Thankful for the team at Dell. They worked tirelessly to get the best outcome for me. I’m so glad that I found them!!

Carole S.

Exceptional efficient and professional service from Jay Symonds and Sonia Nogueira. They were both so helpful and knowledgeable and navigated me through a very stressful and difficult situation with New York Life.

K. S.

Awesome team. Jay and his team, Sonia and Francesca, truly care. This team is very Professional and quick to respond. Jay always provided answers in detail to my questions. I strongly recommend Jay Symonds.

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